Chips, electronic devices boost Japan's factory output

Japan's factory output expanded again in October, data showed Monday, boosted by production of memory chips and electronic devices, in a rare bright spot for the recession-hit economy. Economists were generally upbeat on the 1.4 percent expansion in activity -- the second consecutive monthly rise -- and said it signalled Japan's second recession in as many years would likely be short lived. "The second straight rise in industrial production indicates that the economy returned to growth this quar